Southwest Airlines is one of the top airlines in the United States, and it is also recognized as the world’s largest low-cost carrier. The airline has its headquarters in Dallas, Texas.
Regarding flight operations, Southwest executes flights from major operating bases in Atlanta (ATL), Baltimore (BWI), Chicago-Midway (MDW), Dallas-Love (DAL), Denver (DEN), Houston-Hobby (HOU), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Orlando (MCO) and Phoenix-Sky Harbor (PHX).
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the primary operating bases for Southwest. In this article, we will explore Southwest Terminal in MCO airport including terminal facilities, amenities, arrivals/departures, travel tips, and more.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What terminal is Southwest Airlines at MCO Airport?
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest transportation hub in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida. The airport is owned, and operated by Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and serves the Greater Orlando Region.
MCO Airport is served by 20+ commercial airlines, and 5 cargo carriers connecting the region to various domestic, and international destinations. The airport is the primary hub for Silver Airways while it is also an important operating base for Southwest Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines.
Related: Explore all Airports in Orlando, Florida
MCO occupies a total area of 12,600 acres (5,100 ha) and features four asphalt/concrete runways. Regarding terminal facilities, you can find three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C.
Terminals A & B are made up of three Levels (1, 2, & 3) equipped with baggage claim, ground transportation, gates, and other terminal facilities. Terminal C holds Level 1, Level 2, Level 4, and Level 6.
Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal A at MCO Airport. The airline can be located on Level 3 (Terminal A) with allocated Gates 100-129.
All terminal amenities, and services such as baggage claim, ticketing, check-in, security, food & dining, and so on are available at Terminal A for Southwest flights.
Now, let’s explore more of Southwest Terminal in MCO Airport.
Southwest Airlines MCO Terminal Map
As shown in the Terminal Map below, the main terminal building at Orlando International Airport is split into two halves, the northern half, and the southern half. Terminal A is on the northern side whereas Termina B is on the Southern side. Terminal C is recently opened at the airport.
Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal A (Gates 100-129) which is located on the southern side. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 are the levels found in Termina A at MCO.
Amenities offered by Southwest at MCO
- Ticketing/Check-in
- Baggage Service
- Charging Stations
- Cruise Port
- Airport-Provided WiFi
- Priority Lane
- Self-Tagging
Other facilities available in MCO Terminal A
- Level 1 – Lost & Found, Baggage Claim, Buses, On Airport/Off Airport Rental Car Agencies, Ground Transporation, and USO Welcome Center.
- Level 2 – Baggage Claim, Ride Share Services, Service Animal Relief Area, and Restaurants.
You can find ticket counters for Southwest flights on Level 3 (A-4). The counters are operational from Monday through Wednesday and are open 120 minutes before the first departing flight.
Southwest Airlines advises its passengers to arrive at least 120 minutes (2 hours) before their departure. The airline accepts checked baggage starting 4 hours prior to scheduled departure.
International Travel Notice: You must verify your passport with an agent or kiosk at the Southwest Ticket counter at least 60 minutes prior to your scheduled international departure.
Important Note: All bags must be checked 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
TRAVELING WITH PETS?
If you’re traveling with your pets with Southwest Airlines, don’t forget to check out Southwest Pet Policy.
MCO Airport Ground Transportation Facility
- Hotel Shuttles – Provided by many hotels in the Orlando area and can be booked in advance. Hotel shuttles pick up and drop off passengers at the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1) of each terminal.
- Local Bus – Bus service is provided by the Lynx bus system. The Lynx bus stop is located on the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1) of each terminal.
- Ride Sharing – Services such as Uber and Lyft are also available and can be picked up from the designated ride-hailing areas on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level (Level 2) of each terminal.
- Taxicabs – Taxis are available 24 hours a day and can be hailed from the taxi stand on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level (Level 2) of each terminal.
- Shuttle Vans – Provide shared transportation to and from the airport and various destinations in the Orlando area. Shuttle vans can be booked in advance or can be hailed from the shuttle van stand on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level (Level 2) of each terminal.
- Sunrail – This commuter rail service that connects MCO Airport with downtown Orlando and other destinations in the area. The SunRail station is located on the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1) of Terminal A.
What gates does Southwest use at MCO?
You can find gates for Southwest Airlines on Level 3 (Terminal A). The allocated gates for the airline are Gates 100-129.
- Southwest Gates at MCO Airport – Gates 70-129 (Security Checkpoints), & 100-129 (Boarding Gates).
Southwest Airlines MCO Departures
All Southwest Airlines departures are handled from Terminal A at MCO Airport. Passengers can check their flight status for updates, or changes to the terminal that may happen due to various circumstances.
The gates for Southwest Airlines departures are located on the A-Side of the terminal, between gates 100 and 129. You can reach the A-Side of Terminal A by taking the escalator or stairs up to the Gate Link (APM) station. The APM is a free automated people mover that connects the main terminal with Terminals A and B.
Southwest Airlines MCO Arrivals
Like Departures, all Southwest arrivals are operated from Terminal A. For changes or updates, passengers are recommended to check their flight status via the airport’s website, or Southwest’s flight status page.
The baggage claim for Southwest Airlines arrivals is located on Level 2 of Terminal A, between Baggage Claim A and Baggage Claim B. You can reach the baggage claim area by taking the escalators or stairs down from the Departures Level (Level 3).
Food Options at MCO Airport
Southwest doesn’t feature its own lounge amenity however, passengers can access various restaurants, lounges, or food courts at MCO Terminal A to enjoy food, beverages, and relax while they wait for their flight.
Popular Restaurants in Terminal A
| RESTAURANTS IN MCO TERMINAL A | FOOD OPTIONS |
| Auntie Anne’s | Pretzels |
| Carvel | Ice Cream |
| Chick-fil-A | Chicken Nuggets & Sandwiches |
| Chili’s Too | Grill & Bar |
| Cinnabon | Cinnamon Rolls |
| City Pub | Sports Bar |
| Dunkin’ Donuts | Coffee & Donuts |
| Firehouse Subs | Sandwiches |
| Hemisphere | Steak & Seafood |
| Lobby Bar | Small Plates & Beverages |
| Macaroni Grill | Italian Cuisine |
| Macaroni Grill To Go | Italian Cuisine |
| Mccoys Bar & Grill | American Cuisine & Sushi |
| McDonald’s | Burgers |
| Moe’s Southwest Grill | Tex-Mex |
| Panda Express | Chinese Cuisine |
| Sbarro | Pizza |
| Starbucks | Coffee & Tea |
| Starbucks Evenings | Coffee, Tea, Beer & Wine |
Parking Facility at MCO Airport
You can find various on-site, and off-site parking spaces at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Parking Garage A, Terminal Top Parking, Parking Garage B, Parking Garage C, Valet Parking, Hotel Guest Parking, North Cell Phone Lot, South Cell Phone Lot, North Park Place Economy Lot, South Park Place Economy Lot, and West Park Place Economy Lot are available in the airport parking facility.
Southwest passengers and visitors can park their vehicles at Parking Garage A, or Parking Garage B for easier access to the terminal.
On-site parking features at MCO
- All parking lots are within easy walking distance of Terminals A and B.
- The majority of the parking spaces are covered.
- Parking lots are patrolled by the Orlando Police Department (Airport Division).
- Parking lots cannot accommodate vehicles higher than 7 feet.
Parking Prices are mentioned in the table below.
| PARKING SPACE | DAILY RATE |
| Parking Garage A | $19 |
| Terminal Top Parking | $19 |
| Parking Garage B | $19 |
| Parking Garage C | $19 |
| Valet Parking | $25 |
| North Park Place Economy Lot | $10 |
| South Park Place Economy Lot | $10 |
| West Park Place Economy Lot | $10 |
| Hotel Guest Parking (Self) | $14 |
| Hote Guest Parking (Valet) | $18 |
| Car Detailing | $30-$45 |
| North Cell Phone Lot | Free |
| South Cell Phone Lot | Free |
You can pay for the parking spaces via Cash, American Express, SunPass Plus, E-PASS, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard.
Car Rental Services at MCO
Orlando is recognized as the largest rental car market in the world. The airport features major car rental companies located in all Terminals.
The on-site rental car companies can be found on Level 1 (Terminal A & B), and Level 4 (Terminal C).
On-Airport Car Rental Companies
| CAR RENTAL COMPANIES (ON-SITE) | CONTACT NUMBER |
| Alamo | 1-800-327-9633 |
| Avis | 1-800-831-2847 |
| Budget | 1-800-527-0700 |
| Dollar Car Rental | 1-800-800-4000 |
| Enterprise | 1-800-325-8007 |
| Hertz | 1-800-654-3131 |
| National | 1-800-227-7368 |
| Payless | 407-856-5539 |
| SiXT | 1-888-941-7498 |
| Thrifty | 1-800-367-2277 |
In addition to the on-site companies, you can find several off-site rental car companies located on Level 1 – Terminal A (Ground Transportation).
Action Car Rental LLC, APM Car Rental, Bandago, Best Rate Car Rental Inc., CA Car Rental, Carl’s Rent A Van, Clubs Car Rental, Easiret, Economy Rent A Car LLC, Flex Rent A Car, Fly Car Rental, Global Car Rental, and GS Car Rental are some of the major off-site rental car providers.
Conclusion on Southwest Terminal in MCO
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the primary operating bases for Southwest Airlines. In this informative blog, we explored Southwest Terminal in MCO with the terminal map, gates information, arrivals/departures, food options, parking facility, travel tips, and more.
If you’re traveling on a Southwest flight via MCO Airport, this article might be helpful in navigating the terminal.
Let’s conclude our discussion with some major points mentioned below.
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the major airports serving the Greater Orlando region.
- MCO features three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C. Terminal A lies in the northern half of the main terminal whereas Terminal B is in the Southern half of the main terminal. Terminal C is recently opened.
- Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal A at MCO. The gates available for the airline are Gates 100-110, and 120-129.
- Southwest passengers can enjoy food at various restaurants, and shopping at retail shops in MCO Terminal A.
- Parking facility at the airport is available with various parking options. There are lots of on-site, and off-site car rental providers at the airport.
FAQs on Southwest Terminal in MCO
Which terminal is Southwest at MCO?
Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal A at Orlando International Airport (MCO). All arrivals, and departures are handled from this terminal. Gates 100-110, and 120-129 are available for the Southwest flights.
How early to arrive at MCO Southwest?
Southwest Airlines advises passengers to arrive at least 120 minutes before their departure at MCO Airport. This will give you enough time to check in, go through security, and board your flight without feeling rushed or stressed.
Which airlines are in Terminal A at MCO?
Southwest Airlines, Air Transat, Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Avianca, Breeze Airways, Copa Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Miami Air, Spirit Airlines (International), and Virgin Atlantic are the airlines operating from Terminal A at MCO.
Are Terminals A and B connected at MCO?
Terminals A and B at MCO are not directly connected as they are two separate buildings featuring their own check-in counters, security checkpoints, and boarding gates. However, passengers can easily move between the two terminals using the convenient shuttle service called the Automated People Mover (APM).
What gates are in MCO Terminal A?
Gates 1-29, 30-59, 70-99, and 100-129 can be found in MCO Terminal A.
